What people are saying about Fambul Tok

“We have to settle our own disputes rather than depend on others. This can be done through Fambul Tok.” Ismail Momo, Deputy Chairman, Moyamba District Council.

“We don’t believe in punishing somebody. Because if we say we’re going to punish, there were so many, we would end up punishing everybody.” – Musu Swarray, Bunumbu, Kailahun District

“The youth owe an apology to this nation. Fambul Tok is the only project that will bring peace.“ J.C. Vanjah, Youth Chairman, Moyamba District

“Women suffered a lot during the war and now with Fambul Tok in Moyamba, all of us will work together for sustainable peace in our communities.” Sarah Gbanie, Women’s Leader, Moyamba

“Paramount Chiefs are grand peacemakers and without them Fambul Tok cannot succeed. Youth are also pillars of Fambul Tok. Therefore if the project should succeed it depends on all of us.” Paramount Chief Alie Kongomoh, Fakunya chiefdom, Moyamba District

“Fambul Tok has revived our culture and traditions. We have not had any ceremony for the past 10 years and now the project is here we are determined to appease our ancestors.” Samuel Caulker, Rotifunk, Moyamba District

“We are very happy because for the past twenty years we have not the opportunity to appease our ancestors. Had it not been for the intervention of Fambul Tok project, it would not have been possible.” Charles Williams, Yondu town, Kongbora chiefdom

“I am proud that we can now solve our own problems without going to chiefs. I thank Fambul Tok for this great initiative.” Marie Sesay, Moyamba

“Most of us do not have the opportunity to face the TRC to tell people what happened to us. With Fambul Tok, we can now share our stories and have the opportunity to forgive and reconcile.” Hawa Koroma, Moyamba town

“I have no regret for moving from such a far distance to listen to Fambul Tok. After the war, plenty people are afraid to return to their homes for fear of revenge. Now that Fambul Tok is creating the platform for victims, witnesses and perpetrators to mediate reconciliation for peaceful co-existence, we have no alternative but to welcome Fambul Tok. I am sure community reconciliation will help us fight poverty.” Sahr Ngaoja, Lei chiefdom, Kono district

“Since the end of the war, we were unable to come together as a community and plan development because of our individual differences. The simple fact that Fambul Tok is attempting to reconcile my community, I appreciate their effort in forging unity.” Elizabeth Lebbie, Kamaa chiefdom, Kono district

“For the fact that Fambul Tok is talking about community dialogue, the project is highly welcomed in Kono. We witnessed a lot of atrocities in Kono district during the war. Our people have agreed to embrace Fambul Tok as it is the only way we would enjoy our peace. Thanks very much to the management of the project for thinking about reconciling the victims and perpetrators in our communities.” Aiah Raymond Komba, chiefdom speaker, Kamaa chiefdom, Kono district

“Any wrongdoing you do to anybody, come out plain – ‘Madam, I have wronged you. Forgive me.’ That will make me feel happy. Without a cent, I will accept it. But when you have wronged me, you roam around, I see you, I know what you have done to me, it pains me. But when you voice it, reconciliation will go and I will be very peaceful. This is what we need here.” – Isata Ndoleh, Mommy Queen, Kailahun District

“Most of our brothers and sisters played an active role during the war. Some of them amputated hands, some of them slaughtered women, some split women open to see what baby was in their stomach, but at the ceremony most of them came forward and confessed and asked for forgiveness and we have forgiven them. We have encouraged them, embraced them, we do things together. Even myself, my elder sister was killed during this war. Those that killed her, I knew who they were, but when they confessed, I forgave them.” – Hawah Wurie, Bunumbu, Kailahun District

“We shed a lot of blood in our community, so after the bonfire, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to go and pour libations to our ancestors, so that we can have peace in our community. And after that libation, there is peace on our community. Even our children obey us again.” Musu Swarray, Bunumbu, Kailahun District